Ex-deputy Charged In Assault Case

TITUSVILLE — A former Brevard County deputy sheriff was charged with assault and battery Tuesday in connection with a fight at a Rockledge restaurant.

Brevard-Seminole State Attorney Norm Wolfinger charged Lowell Tatum, 53, with the two misdemeanors in the Oct. 26 assault of Max Roever of Cocoa at the International House of Pancakes in Rockledge.

Court records say that Tatum grabbed Roever by the hair, raised his fist in front of Roever's face and threatened to hit him. Tatum was off duty at the time, chief Assistant State Attorney John Griesbaum said.

Seminole prosecutor Ralph Eriksson was assigned to the case to prevent a possible conflict of interest, Griesbaum said.

Tatum, who was taken into custody two weeks ago for a psychiatric evaluation, will be arraigned on the charges Dec. 21.

If convicted, he could face up to a year in Brevard County Jail and a $1,500 fine.

Tatum was suspended without pay from his job in the department's records section after the incident. Sheriff Jake Miller fired him Nov. 27.